AVG Gapping Higher With Monster Volume

AVG Technologies was rising on unusual volume on Thursday. Here's how to trade it now.

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

AVG Technologies (AVG) engages in the development and sale of Internet security software and online service solutions under the AVG brand name. This stock closed up 4.1% to $13.23 in Thursday's trading session.

From a technical perspective, AVG gapped sharply higher here and broke out above some key overhead resistance levels at $17.72 to $17.95 with monster upside volume. This stock briefly traded above its 200-day moving average of $19.67, before it closed the trading session just below that level at $19.60. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if AVG manages to take out Thursday's high of $21.02 with strong volume.